Tamiya Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 1:48

Kit Ref: 61050
Short Feature Article by Ralph Riese

Subject: Messerschmitt Bf109 E-3. Werknummer Unknown. “Black 12”. Pilot Unknown, 8./JG52 (I./JG28), Romania, Winter 1940/41.

A note from Geoff

Talk about coming in with a bang! What a great entrance from Ralph Riese to SMN with his stunning model of “Back 12”. Just take a careful look at Ralph’s attention to detail in his weathering and finishing. I don’t actually use the word stunning that frequently but I feel it is wholly deserved in Ralph’s case with this model. What do you think?

The focus of this Short Feature Article (SFA) is about Ralph showing you how he has achieved that great finish, not the build but just the finish and so this ‘build’ is unusually short for SMN – as you may know, the average length of an article in this magazine is 32 A4 pages!

Over to you Ralph…

Construction: Single-media kit constructed out-of-the-box as per kit instructions.
Enhancements: Minor enhancements consistent with QMHE rules for Single
Cockpit: Tamiya tape harnesses added to kit seat.
Armoured headrest added from Tamiya Bf109 E-4/7 kit Windscreen: Rear view mirror added from plasticard and stretched sprue Gun barrels: Drilled out
Elevators: Cut and repositioned
Aerial: Nylon invisible mending thread
Painting: Gunze Sangyo RLM colours as per kit instructions. Upper camouflage pattern as per Eagle Strike ESD 48123 “Bf109’s of the Balkans Part 4”.
Decals: Eagle Strike ESD 48123 “Bf109’s of the Balkans Part 4”.
Scale finish: Finished and weathered to represent an active front-line fighter aircraft on station in Romania during the Balkan campaign.

References

• Tamiya kit instructions.
• “Jagdwaffe. Strike in the Balkans April-May 1941”. Luftwaffe Colours Volume 3, Section 1.
• Eagle Strike ESD 48123 “Bf109’s of the Balkans Part 4”.

Reference photos…

Note review mirror fitted to the armoured windscreen, and the armoured headrest fitted inside the cockpit.

Read the full weathering review on the Tamiya Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 1:48…